TriGen Energy's Low-Carbon Oil Recovery Model to Boost Mexico's Mature Fields

Mexico's mature oil fields could be rejuvenated through a novel approach proposed by Pieter Kapteijn, CEO of TriGen Energy. At the Mexico Oil and Gas Summit 2026, Kapteijn presented a model that combines pressurized oxy-fuel power generation with CO2-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR).

Applied to 15 PEMEX fields holding about 7 billion barrels of original oil in place, this approach could add 650 million to 820 million barrels of incremental crude while reducing the carbon footprint of production by around 50%. The model would also store 200-250 million tons of CO2.

Kapteijn emphasizes that mature fields offer Mexico's fastest and lowest-risk path to new production. They already have existing wells, surface infrastructure, trained personnel, and decades of reservoir data, making it easier to implement this approach.